Gospel
LK 11:29-32
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
"This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
REFLECTION:
My youngest said, “This generation is an evil generation” is what stood out to her.
My husband and I asked the kids if they felt that this statement pertained to the time when Jesus lived only, or to today also. They all said that it pertained to today also. We asked them why they felt this way? They began to name all the things going on in the world that were in the forefront of the news. The issues of abortion, infanticide, same sex marriage, and even the issues within the Church are just a few.
We all agreed the overall theme of the readings today are on repentance. My teenage daughter asked, “what is significant about sackcloth?” Is this something that is practiced today? With this being an “evil generation”, does this mean we need to repent, just like the Ninevites were asked to back in the day of Jonah?
My Son brought up the fact that it was mentioned twice in the Gospel reading, “That there is something greater here”. First, “greater than Solomon”, then “greater than Jonah”. The "something greater" is Jesus. We do not actually have Jesus in the physical sense here walking around asking people to repent and believe in the Gospel, but we do have His disciples still working to bring this message to God's people. These disciples are our Priests, many of which are traveling serving to bring Lenten Retreats to us.
So maybe, with it being Lent, and we are all asked to repent, pray, and fast during this season; with faith, hope and Love, we can ask Jesus to have Mercy on us all and help all our brothers and sisters throughout the world to join with us in prayer for this generation. We pray especially for our Priests! Please Lord Jesus, help our Priests to be Holy, so they can help all of us to be Holy.
click here for the PAPA Prayer for Priests.
God bless us all!
